FATHER
COUGHLIN

Father
Coughlin, whose messages were deeply influenced by the words of Popes
Leo and Pius, saw FDR and the New Deal in accord with the distribution
of wealth and with social justice as outlined by Leo and Pius. Indeed,
in 1932, Coughlin supported FDR in the presidential election, where
Coughlin coined the phrase "Roosevelt or Ruin!" (Carpenter 43). Though
historians largely disagree on the nature of the relationship between
FDR and Coughlin, or indeed when exactly they met and what they
discussed during these meetings, Coughlin's early support of FDR and
the New Deal is undeniable. Coughlin himself stated in a radio message
from mid-1933:

Today
we are living in the hopes of a new deal. This hope is founded not only
upon the promise of such but upon the actual presence of new men
without whom the new deal would be impossible.The people of
this nation at present are filled with confidence and with
determination.The confidence
is vested in our President, Franklin D. Roosevelt.The
determination is founded so securely that only deeds and not words will
suffice to satisfy the nation.It is my opinion
that our
confidence has not been misplaced. It is also my observation that
unless this economic liberty can be quickly achieved under our present
system of government, there is no other prospect facing us than to
alter that system if necessary in order to obtain justice and equity. (Driving 3)